Liquor sales may be privatized in Wellington, P.E.I.

The province's plan to replace the Wellington Liquor Store with a privately-run agency store concerns the union that represents liquor store employees.

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The province has issued an RFP for an agency store in Wellington, and the P.E.I. Liquor Commission has confirmed it plans the switch between January and April 2017, if it receives a satisfactory proposal.

"I was very disappointed, on two points," said thePresident of the P.E.I. Union of Public Sector Employees, KarenJackson.

She said firstly the province informed the union just one day before informing employees, meaning the union didn't have enough time to engage with the employer.

"I'm disappointed it's another hit for rural P.E.I., these are good-paying jobs," she said, explaining there are two fulltime and four part-time staff at the Wellington store. "It affects the economy."

Concerns about privatization

The union has been told that two of the employees will have opportunities to transfer elsewhere in government, Jackson added, while the remaining four casual employees may be able to work at the new private agency store, likely earning lower wages and losing benefits.

"The PEILCC is aware of staff concerns and will be attempting to address but until such time the RFP closes and a decision is rendered we cannot make further comment," said the Commission'sDirector of Corporate Services, Jamie MacLeod in an email to CBC News.

The union is also concerned about the government's trend toprivatizeliquor stores, arguing provincially-run stores have staff trained to serve customers responsibly.

"We should be cautious about fostering a market that may make it easier for minors to obtain alcohol. I know that this is not the intent of government; however, many would agree that this is one of the outcomes of selling liquor at convenience stores and gas stations," said Jackson.

Customers, she believes, will end uppaying higher prices and haveless selection.

Click here to see the request forproposals for the new agency store.

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